As many of you are aware, Dr. Joseph Clapper, Assistant Executive Director, and Mr. Joe Foriska, Western Office Manager, are both retiring this year. We cannot thank them enough for their dedicated and value-added service to our organization and we wish them both well in retirement.

Part of our Strategic Plan is to eliminate the Western Office Manager position and to change the Assistant Executive Director’s position from part-time to full-time. Earlier this year, the position was advertised and applications were screened by the Executive Committee with input from several staff members.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Eric Eshbach will be our next Assistant Executive Director, and he will join the organization on or before July 1, 2020. Dr. Eshbach is the current superintendent of Northern York County School District in Dillsburg, Pa. He brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the position making him the perfect choice.  

He has been the superintendent at Northern York S.D. since 2012 and will retire from that position at the conclusion of the school year. Dr. Eshbach served as superintendent from 2004-2012 in the Upper Adams S.D. and was the assistant superintendent from 2001-04. He was an elementary principal in that same district from 1997-01 and received his first leadership position as an assistant elementary principal in the Bermudian Springs S.D. in 1994. 

Dr. Eshbach currently chairs the Legislative Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and has been directly involved in advocacy for that association since 2012. In addition to his service at the state level, Dr. Eshbach was a member of the Legislative Sub-Committee for the American Association of School Administrators.

Dr. Eshbach has interests in advocacy, professional development and member services which fits very nicely with our mission and vision for the PA Principals Association.

On a personal note, I have known Dr. Eshbach for many years as we were neighboring superintendents and have witnessed firsthand his knowledge and skills in a variety of settings. I have no doubt that he will continue the fine work of Dr. Clapper and Mr. Foriska, and will help to strengthen our member services.

Dr. Paul M. Healey, Executive Director